Warning shots fired, by the NBA that is. Memphis Grizzlies guard Ja Morant has been fined $75,000 by the NBA after making finger gun gestures during Thursday’s game against the Miami Heat—just hours after the league had cautioned him against the action.
Get this, the league issued a statement Friday explaining the penalty: “Morant was previously warned by the league office that this gesture could be interpreted in a negative light.”
Morant’s so-called celebratory motions occurred multiple times during the game, including after his last-second shot secured a 110-108 victory for the Grizzlies. The incident follows another similar situation earlier in the week when Morant and Golden State Warriors guard Buddy Hield exchanged finger-gun gestures at the end of their matchup on Tuesday.
Ja Morant appeared to make a gun gesture at the Warriors' bench late in the game
— Warriors on NBCS (@NBCSWarriors) April 2, 2025pic.twitter.com/fTvFA0wpit
While no fines were initially issued, the NBA had warned both players and their teams that the gesture, though not deemed violent, was inappropriate and should not be repeated. ESPN’s Shams Charania reported the league’s decision on Thursday.
Speaking to the Associated Press, Morant acknowledged the attention his actions drew but remained unfazed by the criticism. “I’m kind of used to it,” he said. “I was pretty much a villain for two years now. Every little thing, if somebody can say something negative about me, it’s going to be out there. So, yeah. I don’t care no more.”
Like we said, warning shots fired. Let’s see what happens next in this standoff.